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March 25, 2009

Waiting for the Bull

Our Cover Story on the stock market, "When Will the Bull Be Back?" (Mar. 16), tapped a vein of anxiety over equity losses and the future of the U.S. economy. Still, a few readers felt optimistic enough to see light in the gloom. Echoing some on Wall Street, they noted that if the stock market requires extreme pessimism to reach bottom—and a chance at another bull run—we're well on our way to fulfilling that demand. —David Henry

Buying some stocks now means believing that things will return to "normal." I'd like to believe that, but I don't. Some big-name companies are selling at fire-sale prices because they are going out of business. Screen name: Sam

There should be a prohibition against pension funds investing in any equity market. It's like a casino without the entertainment. It's going to be a long, long, long time before equity investors see the light of day.

Screen name: Jerry Kopensky

There's not going to be any significant bull market for many years. The government and markets allowed a few people to make billions at the expense of millions of people.

Screen name: Russ C

Persistent pessimism despite consistent earnings is the buy signal we should all be looking for. Believe it or not, there are a few companies that appear to meet this earnings metric.

Screen name: williambanzai7

Once people feel they have suffered long enough, those with an optimistic view will start buying again.

Screen name: Don S

Looking for another bull run? Why don't we get rid of the excesses and the abuses of the past 30 years first?

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